Chantilly Racing | Horse Racing at Chantilly IFHA Chantilly Racing Like most things in France, horse racing has always had an air of style and sophistication about it, historically drawing the well-heeled and the rich and famous. As a result, the great French racecourses not only offer a stylish way to spend some leisure time enjoying high class racing but also offer real insights into French culture, history and leisure. Situated some 50km from that most stylish of world cities, Paris, is Chantilly Racecourse, a venue which typifies what French horseracing is all about. A district of Oise, Chantilly is surrounded by beautiful forest and famous for the most opulent of chateaus and all things associated with quality. The ideal place then, for Chantilly racing. Château de Chantilly is a majestic local attraction in the area and its architect for renovations Honore Daumet was responsible too for the grandstand in Chantilly Racecourse, built in 1879.

Although Chantilly racing predates this by some 40 years, the grandstand heralded the great age of horse racing in the region and was built against what is described as the most beautiful stables in the world. The Great Stables were built in 1719 as stabling for the chateau estate and measure 186 metres long. Part of the stable buildings now house the Living Museum of the Horse, comprising 31 rooms filled with art depicting all things equine. Chantilly racing is Flat racing, contested by the finest thoroughbred horses in the world. The course is right-handed with interlocking tracks, giving three courses in total covering distances from 1400 metres to 2400 metres. The course is home to two of the four French Classics; the Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de Diane. The Prix du Jockey Club was inspired by the Epsom Derby and is often termed the French Derby in recognition of its origins. The race is run over 2,100 metres, which is around a mile and 2 furlongs and is staged in June each year to great acclaim.

Several winners have gone on to win at other notable races such as the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe and the Irish Derby. It is rare to have such an incredibly beautiful setting for horseracing matched in quality by the standard of the races themselves and the key to that quality is down to the district of Chantilly too, which is France’s largest horse training area. Over 2,500 thoroughbred horses are being trained in Chantilly at any one time and these go on to form 70% of the field at Parisian races. Chantilly Training Centre occupies an incredible 1,900 hectares comprising a range of facilities, and a full selection of race tracks which have surfaces including turf, sand, and dirt. There are also jumps tracks and synthetic tracks to provide the full gamut of racing possibilities. The horse training centres in France play a large role in selections for races and this goes a long way to explaining the high standard of Chantilly racing within what is the major training regional centre. Horses are even trained on the racecourse track itself, every Tuesday.

This is because the track at Chantilly offers exactly the right challenges which test the very best horses; in speed, stamina, and talent. What this also means is an incredible spectacle at all Chantilly race fixtures, as the horses come into the demanding home straight, which is over 600 metres long with a 10m incline towards the finish. This is often the point where races are won and lost, providing the kind of thrills and excitement which marks out the very best racing on the planet. Race fans who attend Chantilly racing experience all the incredible heritage that goes with it. This website is operated by websiteadverts.co.uk and is not affiliated to any one racecourse or group of racecourses.

High Stakes on the Track and Off at Chantilly - The New York Times The New York Times Sports |High Stakes on the Track and Off at Chantilly Search Sports | Special Report: Prix de Diane High Stakes on the Track and Off at Chantilly By JON BRAND Continue reading the main story Photo In addition to the nine races on the card, the day’s festivities include the much-anticipated Prix Mademoiselle Diane competition, with a prize awarded to the wearer of the most elegant woman’s hat. Credit Thibault Camus/Associated Press CHANTILLY, France — For female racing fans, the Prix de Diane would seem to be all about relaxation: Wear a fashionable hat and outfit, sip a flute or two from the Champagne bar and have a light picnic on the Chantilly hippodrome’s sun-dappled infield before picking up a racing card. But for their female counterparts on the track — the fillies who will vie for the crown in 164th edition of the French classic this Sunday — the day is typically fraught with more tension. The Prix de Diane is the most important annual test in France for 3-year-old fillies.

Along with a purse of €1 million, or $1.3 million — of which nearly €600,000 goes to the winner — success in the race leads an owner to think about entering the filly into Europe’s richest contest, the season-ending Arc de Triomphe in October at the Longchamp course in Paris. Further down the line, a victory this weekend brings the promise of a long career at stud once a filly’s racing career concludes. “For fillies, the Prix de Diane is an extraordinary race,” said Matthieu Vincent, director of Chantilly’s hippodrome and training center. “The winner of a Group One race like this will end up at the stud farm, certainly.” Continue reading the main story Group One races are the highest stakes contests in Europe, as certified by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, and are subject to age and gender restrictions. Often, a race’s title belies the restrictions. In Derbies, such as the Epsom Derby in England or the Prix du Jockey Club — the French Derby, which is also held in Chantilly in June — only 3-year-old colts and fillies are allowed to enter.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story The Prix de Diane is known as an Oaks race, in which the field is limited to 3-year-old fillies. English speakers sometimes refer to the Diane as the French Oaks. The oldest Oaks in Europe, first run in 1779, is held annually at Epsom Downs in England. Although the Prix de Diane, named for the Roman goddess of the hunt, wasn’t established until a half-century later — in 1843 — it has evolved to become an important event in its own right on the European calendar. Indeed, when the 12 horses post for the race at about 3:45 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, it will be the culmination of months of careful planning by trainers and owners. At 2,100 meters, or 1.3 miles, the Diane is considered a long-distance race. To succeed, fillies must build up endurance gradually in the spring through a combination of training and selective competition. Take a race favorite, Silasol, sired by the recently deceased Monsun.

She started her campaign for the Diane in the autumn by capturing the Prix Marcel Boussac, a 1,600-meter Group One race for 2-year-old fillies that features contenders for the next season’s classic races. After training for much of the spring, she ran her first race this year in April, the 1,850-meter Group Three Prix Vanteaux, before a come-from-behind victory in the Prix Saint-Alary, a 2,000-meter Group One race in late May. “The Marcel Boussac is great, because it gives the best 2-year-olds a chance, but there are some horses who are precocious and don’t make the transition very well,” said Carlos Laffon-Parias, a Spaniard who trains Silasol at Chantilly. So Silasol’s successful spring schedule, he said, particularly her title at the Saint-Alary, was “very encouraging.” The Saint-Alary is one of the two spring classics that often portend success in the Diane; the other is the Group One Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, a 1,600-meter race run in mid-May.

Although 11 horses have done the Alary-Diane double, 25 have won both the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and the Diane. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Flotilla, trained by Mikel Delzangles, will be looking to make it 26 this weekend. Although the filly finished fourth behind Silasol in the Bussac in October, she went on to capture the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in November at Santa Anita Park in California before coming out of spring training to win at Longchamp last month. Flotilla, daughter of Sinndar — the Arc de Triomphe winner in 2000 — is a more “interesting” pick to win the Diane this year than Silasol, said Desmond Stoneham, a former Racing Post correspondent now with the International Racing Bureau in Paris. “Behind Silasol at the Bussac, it was a strange race,” he said. “It was a race that had little patience and Flotilla never really showed her true form. But in the Breeders’ Cup, she won that easily.

She had time to come to hand.” Other horses to watch on Sunday include Altérité, who finished second at Saint-Alary, and Ésotérique, winner of the Prix Vanteaux in April, ahead of Silasol. Most surprising about the start list, however, is the absence of an entry from the Aga Khan, winner of a record seventh Prix de Diane crown last year with Valyra, who had to be put down a few months later after a beach-cantering accident. The Aga Khan, who is owner of the Aiglemont estate in Gouvieux, near the Chantilly hippodrome and château, and has a stud farm in Normandy, often has multiple entries in what amounts to a home race for him. Last year, the race included three Aga Khan-owned horses. The Prix de Diane will not be the only competition on Sunday afternoon. It headlines a nine-race card that is preceded by picnicking and a concert by the French pop singer Nolwenn Leroy. But perhaps more important than the undercards will be the Prix Mademoiselle Diane, awarded to the wearer of the most elegant woman’s hat.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story The Prix de Diane is a staple of the early summer Parisian social calendar. While many of the 40,000 spectators expected at Chantilly will be dressed in finery, women’s hats are the fashion order of the day — and the more feathery or flowery, the better. There is no need to be a runway model or society matron to win the title, though. The prize last year went to Charlène Pestana, a 19-year-old student at the Paris Institute of Political Science. “With the fillies, the women and Diana, the goddess of the hunt, it’s really a day of elegance at Chantilly,” Vincent said. “It’s a bit like Royal Ascot, you know, but it’s not so English. You have to be en forme at Royal Ascot. Here, there’s not an obligatory dress code.” The two grand racing events have drawn closer, however.

Since Longines took over as title sponsor of the Diane in 2011, the race date has been pushed back a week from its typical calendar slot, so as to not overlap with the last weekend of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros Stadium in western Paris, an event also sponsored by the Swiss watchmaker. The change means that it runs within days of Royal Ascot, the marathon five-day English racing event that kicks off on Tuesday. While a week of nonstop parties may sound exhausting, many, like Stoneham, who will attend both events, are embracing the new schedule. “The Diane is now the entrée before the Royal Ascot,” he said. “There are five days at Ascot, where men wear morning coats, women wear fabulous hats. Before the five days of that, this is the appetizer.” A version of this article appears in print on June 15, 2013, in The International Herald Tribune. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe French Races | Horse Racing and Betting from France Read more news at horseracing.com.au Quality Horse Racing in France The glitz and glamour of French Horse Racing is one of its country’s finest forms of sporting entertainment.

With tradition dating back to the 16th century, French Racing has always maintained at the forefront of the sport and of the betting markets. It was only towards the end of the 20th century that French Horse Racing began to enjoy a larger audience. 1996 saw the creation of a dedicated television channel called French-Courses. The increased interest saw French Races feature heavily with online bookmakers, who would offer markets for some of Europe’s biggest meetings. French Races Special Offer: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bet* from Ladbrokes With over 250 racecourses dotted around France, there is always action to be found – be it a provincial race or one of Paris’ worldly renowned meetings. Each meeting contains roughly eight races on the card and provides punters with optimal opportunities to make a quick buck! French Races can be found on the calendar 365 days a year and with so much choice there is always something to catch your eye. French Races: The Racecourses There are six major racecourses that hold professional Horse Racing action throughout the annual calendar. Below is a guide to these tracks, to provide you with a little bit of background information to punters inexperienced with French Races.

Auteuil The Auteuil Hippodrome based in Paris is a racecourse designed exclusively for steeplechase Horse Racing. Opened in 1873, the track has plenty of history and tradition, hosting two of France’s most lucrative races – the Prix du President de la Republique and the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. Chantilly Situated in the country’s primary horse training centre, Chantilly Racecourse is north of Paris and hosts a number of thoroughbred flat racing meetings. This versatile track dates back to 1834, with its first race card recorded. The Prix du Jockey Club, often referred to as the French Derby, is one of five classic races on the French calendar and is raced at Chantilly. Deauville Also stationed in the north-west of France, the Deauville Hippodrome enjoys numerous Groups 1, 2 and 3 racing throughout the year. The area is home to a large amount of stud farms across the region, with a large number of the country’s horse breeding facilities based here. Longchamp This archaic racecourse built on the banks of the Seine River provides an outstanding challenge for both horse and jockey.

An undulating track and a long-lasting uphill straight ensure only the best horses prevail. With over half of France’s Group 1 racing hosted here, Longchamp is the premier destination for French Races. The proud Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe race hosted each October attracts some of the world’s finest horses and a vast amount of betting attention. The Arc is one of the biggest races in the world and the field generally has the quality similar to other big races such as the Melbourne Cup Field . Maisons-Laffitte Another Paris-based flat Horse Racing facility is the Maisons-Laffitte racecourse. Another historic track dating back to the 19th century, this course hosts a number of France’s most popular handicap races across the season running from March to November. Saint-Cloud The Hippodrome de Saint-Cloud is a resort of great tradition over the last 108-years of its existence. The French government declared Saint-Cloud an official ‘Monument historique’ – a listed building marking an area of significant meaning. The summer sprint racing culminates with the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, again attracting more of the sport’s greatest competitors.

French Races: Main Events French Horse Racing has four ‘Classic’ Group 1 races that are held across the annual calendar: Prix Du Jockey Club Inspired by England’s Derby Stakes held at Epsom Downs, the French equivalent is run at Chantilly over a 2,100 metre course. The race is open only to 3-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies and attracts prize money totalling AU $2,500,000. Prix de Diane Another race comparable to an English classic, the English Oaks. Often referred to as the French Oaks, this 2,100 metre flat race is open to only thoroughbred 3-year-old fillies. The Prix de Diane often proves to be a good testing ground prior to Paris’ Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe, with five horses in the past succeeding in both races. Grand Prix de Paris The third of France’s much-vaunted ‘Classics’ is the Group 1 sprint race, Grand Prix de Paris. The 2,400 metre event is held at Longchamp, with the eloquence and glamour of a Longchamp meeting combining with the gruelling race to provide outstanding entertainment.

The race also holds the prestige of being run during July 14, a French national holiday – Bastille Day. Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe Commonly known in betting and Horse Racing circles as the ‘Arc’, the Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe is regarded as one of the finest in European racing. The victors of this much-vaunted event generally attain vast exposure and a large chunk of the enormous AU $6,855,000 prize money. Promotional advertisements consider this meeting as ‘not so much a race as a monument’. All of the showcase races are available for betting online as well as at the racecourse paddocks! You can still soak up the atmosphere and glamour of the meetings by keeping in touch via numerous live streams supplied by online bookmakers. All the information needed to select an ‘Arc’ winner is at hand, providing you with an unrivalled betting experience from the comfort of your own home.

French Races: The Jockeys These are some of the household names spotted across the French racing calendar: – Ioritz Mendizabal CHANTILLY (PART 1) THE HORSE-RACING CAPITAL OF FRANCE, - YouTube CHANTILLY (PART 1) THE HORSE-RACING CAPITAL OF FRANCE, Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Feb 13, 2011 Chantilly is an elegant town and the horse-racing capital of France. Horse-racing was first introduced from England in 1830 and today Chantilly still trains some 3,000 thoroughbreds in the surrounding forests and countryside. June marks the beginning of the flat racing season, attracting society's big wigs for the two historic trophies - the Prix du Jockey-Club and Prix de Diane-Hermes. However, Chantilly has more to offer than just horse-racing. Its chateaus, parks, forests and lakes should keep you busy.

If you do manage to exhaust these options there's always the Parc Asterix to investigate in nearby Plailly Chantilly racing is Flat racing, contested by the finest thoroughbred horses in the world. The course is right-handed with interlocking tracks, giving three courses in total covering distances from 1400 metres to 2400 metres. The course is home to two of the four French Classics; the Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de Diane. The Prix du Jockey Club was inspired by the Epsom Derby and is often termed the French Derby in recognition of its origins. The race is run over 2,100 metres, which is around a mile and 2 furlongs and is staged in June each year to great acclaim. Several winners have gone on to win at other notable races such as the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe and the Irish Der Category Ten lessons we learned from Europe’s classic weekend | Topics: Jack Mitchell, Minding, Prix du Jockey Club, Aga Khan, Epsom Oaks, Coronation Cup, U.S.

Army Ranger, Idaho, Postponed, Almanzor, Harzand, Dermot Weld, Ryan Moore, Epsom Derby | Thoroughbred Racing Commentary Ten lessons we learned from Europe’s classic weekend James Willoughby | June 08, 2016 Share Harzand (right) holds off U.S. Army Ranger (dark blue) and Idaho to win the Derby at Epsom on Saturday. Photo: Frank Sorge/Racingfotos.com The Derby and the Oaks at Epsom and the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly - three season-shaping classics were run over the weekend in Europe. But what did they tell us? A solid but unspectacular renewal Before the Investec Derby at Epsom, the quality of competition was perceived as below average. After the race, the consensus seemed to be the opposite. The truth, as often, is somewhere in between. Harzand, U.S. Army Ranger and Idaho are improving colts who came clear of the rest, but the ground will not always be on the easy side and they won’t always encounter such a strong pace.

Strong pace made for Demolition Derby The strength of the pace can be neatly gauged thus: Harzand crossed the path at the top of the hill only 0.8sec slower than the brilliant Golden Horn on much faster ground the previous year. But the 2016 field really paid the price for their exuberance from then on, and Harzand took nearly seven seconds longer than the previous winner to run the straight. The straight was therefore the easiest place to make ground in this year’s Derby because the energy cost of gaining a length is proportional to the speed of the race. Port Douglas made it a very stern test and it surely wasn’t a coincidence that stablemate U.S. Army Ranger, the favourite, was positioned in rear initially. 'Leger' is not a dirty word Dermot Weld, Harzand’s trainer, broke a taboo of many years when referring to the horse as possibly “an ideal English Leger horse”. This has been seen previously as the death knell for a Derby winner’s subsequent stallion career.

In this case, however, the fact the colt is owned by the Aga Khan, who is not hamstrung by the same commercial imperatives as some, probably left Weld free to speak. Either way, it is refreshing to hear. At stages during the run of the Derby, Harzand seemed to be racing near his maximum speed and he could be vulnerable if the ground came up faster than at Epsom, or if the pace was more undulating. As his trainer indicates, he is essentially a stayer. Pace dominates position in rider evaluation Some felt that U.S. Army Ranger’s rider Ryan Moore had given his mount too much to do. This is a hopelessly simplistic argument based solely on position, exclusive of the influence of pace. The early pace was much too strong and being back in the run was an advantage – not a disadvantage. U.S. Army Ranger produced a long, steady run over the closing furlongs which was readily repelled by the winner. The runner-up did not wilt in the slightest close home, maintaining his advantage over the third, Idaho, who himself held the fourth, Wings Of Desire, at bay by five lengths. There is no solid evidence that the runner-up should have won.

He had a long time to close little real ground on the winner (in the context of the last few furlongs being really slow) with both horses being ridden. Forcing tactics could suit Idaho There was interesting debate regarding the future of Derby third Idaho, trained, like U.S. Army Ranger, by Aidan O’Brien. He is a free-going horse who travelled as strongly as anything and looked as if he might win when moving to lead over two furlongs out. This display of relative speed, coupled with his defeat, led some to wonder – not unreasonably – if he could be a 10-furlong horse in disguise. Others, such as his rider, Seamie Heffernan, see him as a colt who could stay even further than a mile and half. The key to him could be less the trip and more the application of forcing tactics. He is the type of horse best allowed to stride on, and, ridden this way, could prove versatile over a range of trips. Earlier in his career, the O’Brien camp had him ridden ‘cold’ towards the rear of the field, but this isn’t helping him.

Should connections send him for the G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown – a track that can suit the well-ridden front-runner – on July 2, he could go extremely well. He clearly stays a mile and a half well enough to finish close up in a well-run Derby, also. Minding we don't get carried away Investec Oaks winner Minding overcame considerable trouble to prevail in her classic, but there were some outlandish statements afterwards about her ability. First, the performance of every horse must be viewed in context of the run of the race. This was one of the strongest-run Oaks in history (relative to the conditions) and the action in the straight was slow-motion stuff. When a horse is the superior runner, most times it will overcome trouble, and, in effect, Minding had loads of time to get back into the race. There is no doubt that the daughter of Galileo showed guts and tenacity to overcome the trouble, and she is without doubt a top-class runner, but bettors should beware that, while she took her reputation to a new level, the same isn’t true of her form.

Skiffle needs retuning for shorter trip The Oaks runners were strung out like finishers in the Grand National - a joint-function of the strength of the gallop and the lack of strength in depth. Any filly close to the pace early was at a big disadvantage, while the performance of fifth-placed Skiffle deserves a huge upgrade. In the last trio early, she did more running than any other during the middle of the race and was second turning in. This was far too much to ask of her, given the way the race was run, and she understandably weakened. Given enough time to recover from this, the Godolphin filly could make huge improvement later in the season, particularly when dropped in trip to a mile and a quarter. It doesn't deserve to be a Derby The Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly – which no longer deserves to be referred to as ‘the French Derby’ since the distance was dropped to 10 and a half furlongs from a mile and a half – yet again produced an affair not really even deserving G1 status.

The winner, Almanzor, benefitted from a strong pace to beat Zarak and Dicton, reversing the form with the last-named colt, who had beaten him in a G3 at the same track in April. The first three came from well off the early gallop, unlike fourth-placed Talismanic. It looks a muddling picture among the French colts this season. Will the G1 form be subject to revision? It may pay to remember that the Derby and Oaks at Epsom, plus the Jockey Club, were all run on an easy surface. In each case, the riders on many contenders misjudged the pace early and the principals came from off the pace. This runs counter to the normal pattern of things on fast ground in the summer, when races generally follow a trend of favouring runners positioned prominently early on. For this reason, it will be interesting to see how the form stands up. Mitchell's ability already proven The Coronation Cup at Epsom saw a masterclass of strategy by trainer Roger Varian and the jockeys of his two horses, Andrea Atzeni on Postponed and, particularly, Jack Mitchell on the pacemaker Roseburg.

Having established an early lead, Mitchell steadied things mid-race, with the result that odds-on Postponed earned a break over the rest of the field cheaply. Of course, Postponed was the best horse anyway, and his sharp turn of foot was way too much for Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Found, but the fact that Roseburg also clung on for third showed exactly how well Mitchell had judged things. One ride is woefully insufficient to judge a rider, but Mitchell has long caught the attention of professional punters who use jockey ratings that take into account the supply of mounts in evaluating riders. Prix du Jockey Club | French Classics Prix du Jockey Club You are here: Home > Prix du Jockey Club Saturday, 24 December 2016 Prix du Jockey Club The Prix du Jockey Club is the first of the French Classics run every year. The race is sometimes referred to as the French Derby due to the fact that it was inspired by the cross-channel Epsom Derby , and is run over roughly the same distance. The Prix du Jockey Club is run at Chantilly Racecourse in France .

The race is open to 3 year old thoroughbred colts and fillies, and covers a distance of 2100 metres. The race tends to attract entries that will run in the Irish Derby later on in the season, and four racehorses have won both races during the history of the Prix du Jockey Club. The Epsom Derby and the Prix du Jockey Club are run in quick succession after each other in June, which tends to discourage trainers from entering horses in both races. As a consequence, no racehorse has won both the Prix du Jockey Club and the Epsom Derby. Prix du Jockey Club Betting The Prix du Jockey Club does not receive widespread media attention in the UK, as is the case with most cross-channel races. However, betting coverage of the race is fairly decent in the days immediately preceding the race, although antepost betting opportunities can still be hard to come by. When betting on this race, look for European bookmakers like Bet365 and Bwin, which are more likely to provide broad, early coverage of the Prix du Jockey Club. Picking a Prix du Jockey Club winner is a challenging task for even the most experienced punter.

The race falls early on in the French flat racing season, which means that racing fans have little information to work with when attempting to assess form and make educated selections in the Prix du Jockey Club betting markets. However, a few basic guidelines can be used to narrow down the horses in the field that have a realistic chance of claiming the first of the French Classics. Although no particular race stands out as a trial for the Prix du Jockey club, a prior group 1 win is virtually essential, with a group 1 win during the 3 year old season a bonus. Prix du Jockey Club Odds Prix du Jockey Club History The Prix du Jockey Club is one of France’s oldest thoroughbred races, and predates the second French Revolution. First run in 1836, the race was moved to various locations in France during its history, as political turmoil and war forced organisers to seek alternative venues.

Today's Racing Betting Specials Stan James £10 Free Bet Join StanJames All About the Ladies at the Track in Chantilly - The New York Times The New York Times Sports |All About the Ladies at the Track in Chantilly Search Sports | Special Report: Prix de Diane All About the Ladies at the Track in Chantilly By GINA RARICK Continue reading the main story CHANTILLY, FRANCE — Fillies, feathers and endless flutes of Champagne. For style and spectacle, the annual Prix de Diane at Chantilly is the high point of the Continental horse-racing calendar. The events surrounding it have overtaken the importance of the race itself, which crowns the top 3-year-old filly in France. More than 30,000 people are expected to flock to Chantilly for the festivities on Sunday, three times as many as attended the French Derby last weekend. Contests for the most original hat and the best-turned-out woman are likely to draw at least as much interest as the equine stars parading in the paddock.

The race, named after the Greek goddess Diana, dates from 1843 and was patterned after the English Oaks, first run in 1779. The original Oaks predated the first English Derby by a year, and every major horse-racing country now has its own version of the two classic races aimed at selecting the best 3-year-olds. But while fillies are eligible to run against the colts in the various Derby races, the Oaks are Ladies Only affairs. The French version of the race is 2,100 meters long, 300 meters or a furlong and a half shorter than the English and Irish versions. That difference in distance often attracts runners from across the Channel who might consider 2,400 meters a furlong and a half too far this early in the season. Continue reading the main story The Oaks and the derbies in England, Ireland and France are all classed as Group 1 races by international racing authorities, the top level of the sport. They are part of what is known as the “pattern” races, begun centuries ago with the aim of selecting the finest breeding stock.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story On Sunday, a dozen top fillies will line up to take their chances, and those not watching hats and the women wearing them will be watching Galikova, the little sister of the champion mare Goldikova. Galikova, undefeated this year, is likely to be the heavy favorite. Her famous sister, the three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Goldikova, finished second when she ran the Prix de Diane in 2008, one of the few defeats in a career that has so far seen 13 Group 1 victories. Goldikova has chosen a racing career over breeding; she continues to train on at the age of 6 and will probably seek an unprecedented fourth victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in the United States this autumn. The past two winners of the Diane are also still in training. Last year’s star, Sarafina, won the Group 2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud in France last month and is headed for Royal Ascot this month. The winner of the 2009 edition, Stacelita, is being pointed to the Group 1 Arlington Million in the United States.

Back when she was a 3-year-old, Goldikova lost her Diane to Zarkava, the undefeated phenomena who went on to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe — twice. None of the winners of the Prix de Diane over the past decade have produced notable champions, so there is intense focus on Zarkava, who had a filly foal last year by Dalakhani, the 2003 French Derby winner, and a colt this year by Sea the Stars, who counted the Arc and the Epsom Derby among his many Group 1 successes. Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up Privacy Policy For her part, Galikova certainly has the breeding to win the event this year. Her sire, Galileo, won both the English and Irish derbies in 2001. And all but one of her 11 siblings old enough to race are winners. But in case royal blood isn’t enough, she will have the benefit of two pacemakers to make sure the race plays out in her favor.

Polémique, who filled the same role when Galikova won the Group 3 Prix Cléopâtre at Saint-Cloud, will be back on Sunday, assisted by Nosail, who also ran with Galikova this year. Among the leading contenders trying to stop Galikova will be Golden Lilac, undefeated in all of her four starts, including the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp in May. Golden Lilac and Galikova share the same sire, Galileo. Following a floral theme, Chrysanthemum will head up an international challenge. The Irish-trained filly won a Group 3 race last year but could only finish seventh in the Group 1 Irish 1,000 Guineas this spring. There will be plenty of flowers around the course as well, with the grounds decorated in the “Gardens of Diane” theme for the traditional picnicking by race-goers. Those arriving early will stake out the prime spots on the grass along the home stretch or in the infield. Ready-made picnic lunches will also be available for those not wanting to carry their own supplies. The only thing that might dampen the festivities is the weather.

After weeks of drought, it has started raining intermittently in the Paris region, and some rain is forecast for Sunday. But while spectators may have to risk wilting feathers or a damp picnic, the horses racing will face less of a risk of injury now that the turf will be slightly yielding. In addition to the featured Prix de Diane, seven other races will be run on Sunday, including three Group 3 contests, two handicaps, an amateur lady rider’s race and even one claimer — a race in which all the horses are for sale. Advertisement Come early to get a good spot — and bring an umbrella just in case. Gina Rarick trains racehorses near Paris. A version of this article appears in print on June 11, 2011, in The International Herald Tribune.

Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe Lay the Foundations and sow the Seed for French Derby glory June 5, 2016 Lay the Foundations and sow the Seed for French Derby glory On Epsom Derby Day, you could have said that Postponed floated like a butterfly across the camber in cruising to Coronation Cup glory whilst Harzand stung like a bee to deliver the killer blow to the fast finishing Us Army Ranger in claiming Derby glory. This was the day that we lost a true sporting great, a legend in Muhammad Ali. Sport does not throw up icons like him very often and there will certainly not be another like him. Onto Sunday’s action, where we have the Prix Du Jockey Club to feast on at Chantilly, with Goodwood, Perth and Listowel propping the Gallic action nicely. A Championship TTC and VideoNAP to feature also, plus a Euro 2016 betting lowdown from football specialist George Sewell (@GeoSewell). So without further ado… CHANTILLY- FRENCH DERBY/PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB I found this race quite hard to get a handle on; the French crop appear hard to assess.

With the first Classic across the Channel going to Aidan O’Brien’s The Gurkha and daylight second, it could suggest that they might not be up to a great deal this year. There do appear to be some smart middle distance types in this field but the draw has not been kind to a few of them; namely runaway Prix Hocquart winner Mekhtaal (15) and Poulains fifth and son of Zarkava, Zarak (16). The latter was quite disappointing at Deauville and although a step up in trip would appear to suit, something tells me his short price is based on his breeding and not his substance on the track thus far. Preference out the aforementioned duo would be for Mekhtaal but stall 15 out of 17 to contend with will no doubt create major traffic problems and something he has yet to be faced with. I will be having a French horse but my principal fancy is John Gosden’s FOUNDATION. Unbeaten in his first three starts; he came unstuck when a beaten odds on favourite in the Racing Post Trophy. I had never been thoroughly convinced about him and this belief was further affirmed when soundly beaten by Stormy Antarctic in the Craven.

However, his Dante run made me saw him in a new light… I didn’t expect any sort of a run from him to be honest so the fact that he finished third behind Epsom Derby fourth Wings Of Desire and Deauville made me truly consider him as a horse with serious potential for the first time. Ten furlongs seems his ideal although softer ground is a concern but Gosden has done very well with his French raiders in recent times, with Star Of Seville taking the Prix Diane last year and Nathra finishing an admirable second in this year’s Prix d’Essai des Pouliches. I firmly believe that Dante form is strong so a big run ought to be expected here. Foundation The French fancy is RASEED. The draw in 4 is kind for this C&D winner and softer ground will be no problem for him. 10/1 looks big as he appears to have just as stronger claims as the likes of Zarak and Mekhtaal, who are almost half the price.

Raseed (blue) I’m not sure if Bravery or Black Sea will prove good enough for Aidan O’Brien whilst the supplemented Imperial Aviator takes a big step up in class and as much as I respect Roger Charlton, his Newbury win last time doesn’t look the greatest form and certainly not good enough to win this based on how Cartago and Prince Of Arran (2nd and 6th respectively) were well beaten in an Epsom handicap on Saturday. Dicton has stamina doubts to answer and Robin Of Navan, as consistent as he is, was soundly beaten by Cloth Of Stars last time after beating him twice as a two year old, which isn’t encouraging given how busy his juvenile campaign was. The rest of the racing… Chantilly 2:30 ZAYVA. I don’t profess to know a lot about these French fillies but she won nicely on debut and it is interesting that Alain de Royer-Dupre has pitched her in for a G2 on only her second start. Chantilly 4:00 AYRAD. Improved from his first to second run for Roger Charlton and gets what he needs here; softer ground and twelve furlongs.

Goodwood 1:50 FRONTIERSMAN. Dubawi colt out of Ouija Board so certainly bred in the purple, being a half brother to 2014 Derby winner Australia. Charlie Appleby has been banging in first time out winners for fun thus far this season, including one at Goodwood on Friday night so expect this chap to go well also. CAPE COVA. John Gosden first time out, should get a good run for your money at 11/1. Goodwood 3:30 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Goodwood 4:00 TRUST THE INDIAN Goodwood 4:35 PHARMACEUTICAL. Drastically improved from first to second run for Stuart Williams and can reverse form with Arlecchino’s Leap with a better passage. Goodwood 5:10 FIGURANTE Perth 2:05 JOHN MONASH. One run, one win for Richard Johnson and can put poor run last time out behind him. Perth 2:40 MISTER FIRST. Taken last two races, both with Richard Johnson and both at the venue; the same factors apply so expect another bold show.

Perth 4:20 VALCO DE TOUZAINE. Should Menorah struggle to give the weight away, Paul Nicholls’ runner looks most likely to clinch the win but Philip Hobbs’ runner should have too much for them in truth. Perth 5:25 COLONEL FORSTER. Trainer Chris Grant had a bumper win at Kelso last Sunday and Sam Twiston-Davies is an interesting booking, with holes being able to be picked from top two in market also. Listowel 2:30 SWEETASEVER. Fairly ordinary debut but in a much stronger affair at the Curragh and can have a big say here. Listowel 3:05 SUVENNA. Won nicely at Dundalk last time out and can carry that winning form into handicap company. Listowel 3:35 FROM EDEN. Big chance here if finding turf maiden form from last season; AW run was dismal. Hopefully won’t need the outing. Listowel 4:10 HOUSEMAID. Eight length third in a Cork maiden; this is a weaker race though and will have come on plenty for that. Listowel 5:45 ASBURY BOSS.

Can give Wakea a big race if recapturing his flat form that preceded his somewhat disappointing runs over jumps. VideoNAP Chantilly 4:00 ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN Goodwood 1:50 FRONTIERSMAN (NB) Goodwood 4:35 CZECH IT OUT Perth 2:40 IMJOEKING George Sewell’s (@GeoSewell) Euro 2016 Preview OUTRIGHT BETTING Euro 2016 is hotting up to be a fantastic encounter with many teams in with a shout of winning the trophy. The expectation surrounding England is reaching proportions of 20 years ago, with many hoping the English boys can mount a real challenge. The usual suspects in Germany and Spain are likely to be there or thereabouts along with the host nation France, bolstering a squad with sensational attacking flair. However, Euro 2016 could be the year of the underdog, with Germany slipping up in friendly matches against England and Slovakia. Spain have been off the boil since their dominance in the last two Euro competitions and the 2010 World cup. Croatia are always a tough team to beat and I think they could go well this year.

Austria won all of their qualifying matches and have arguably the easiest group out of the lot. Poland too have a good chance of making a statement, especially with the prolific Robert Lewandowski leading the line; the top scorer in qualifying. Germany at 9/2 (Coral) is a solid bet out of the big boys. Can Germany follow up on their World Cup glory? 9/2 says they can Austria at 40/1 (many firms) are an improving team that will grind out wins, captained by the versatile David Alaba. Croatia at 28/1 (Ladbrokes); talented players in Mandzukic and Perisic. Without captain Srna however. Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Perisic could lead Croatia to a shock victory, 28/1 hopefuls TOP GOALSCORER Thomas Muller (8/1 Paddy Power) has scored 31 goals in 70 games for Germany, many of those coming at big tournaments. No matter where Muller plays for Germany he always seems to find the back of the net; a real big game player.

Robert Lewandowski (16/1 many firms) has been simply unplayable at points this season, a scorer of all types of goals. He could well net a fair few goals in the group stage sitting him near the top of the scoring charts, even if Poland do not progress. Bayern teammates Thomas Muller (8/1) and Robert Lewandowski (16/1) will be doing battle for the Golden Boot Alvaro Morata (20/1 Ladbrokes) has bags of potential and is expected to lead the line for Spain at the Euros this year. If Spain reach the heights of previous years, his goals could be influential in winning the Golden Boot as well as the Championship. Can Alvaro Morata (20/1) emulate the likes of Fernando Torres and David Villa in scoring big goals for Spain at major tournaments? Edited and pictures by Max. Enjoy your Sunday, the beautfiul weather and hopefully Andy Murray can cause a minor upset to clinch the French Open at Roland Garros for some British success and to land another outright for me after Garbine Muguruza’s success in the women’s (ask Keejay again!) Happy Punting!

Almanzor wins French Derby to deny Aga Khan a major double | Sport | The Guardian Almanzor wins French Derby to deny Aga Khan a major double • Jean-Claude Rouget’s colt beats Zarak in Chantilly’s Prix du Jockey-Club • Dermot Weld may run Epsom Derby winner Harzand in the St Leger Almanzor winning the Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) from Zarak at Chantilly. Photograph: racingfotos/Rex/Shutterstock Sunday 5 June 2016 13.40 EDT Last modified on Sunday 5 June 2016 15.53 EDT Close This article is 8 months old Almanzor, a 20-1 outsider trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, denied the Aga Khan a Derby double on Sunday when he came with a strong run inside the final furlong to beat Zarak in the Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) at Chantilly.

Zarak, in the same green and red colours which were carried to victory by Harzand at Epsom on Saturday, stayed on strongly in the closing stages but could not get on terms with the winner. Foundation, from John Gosden’s yard, attracted plenty of support before the race and set off as the 4-1 favourite but finished well beaten, while Roger Charlton’s Imperial Aviator, a supplementary entry, also failed to mount a serious challenge. The French Derby is run over 10 furlongs rather than the Epsom Classic’s distance of a mile and a half but the winner often develops into a leading candidate for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Almanzor is quoted at around 16-1 for European racing’s all-aged championship event in October, when the race will be staged at Chantilly while its traditional home at Longchamp is redeveloped. Harzand wins Derby after Dermot Weld makes late call to run the colt Read more “He is improving and I had no doubts at all about the trip or his condition coming into the race,” Rouget said. “We always thought he had a chance. We wouldn’t have run him otherwise.

We have no plans at the moment but he’ll be a better horse on better ground.” Dermot Weld, the trainer of Harzand, said on Sunday that he will consider running the Derby winner in the St Leger at Doncaster in September. “Time will reveal all,” Weld said. “He’s a lovely colt and he could be an ideal English Leger horse or, indeed, if it was a wet autumn, a lovely horse for the Arc.” French Classics Betting French Classics Betting Friday, 20 January 2017 The French Classics The French Classics are four of the oldest and most prestigious thoroughbred races run in France. Originally modelled on the English Classics , the French Classics are now on a par with the English Classics, offering some of the biggest purses in international thoroughbred racing, and drawing the strongest fields in Europe. A Taste of Parisian Elegance The French Classics begin just days after the running of the Newmarket Guineas across the English Channel. The first race on the French Classics schedule is the Grand Prix du Jockey Club , often referred to as the ‘French Derby’.

Whilst the race rarely features entries to the Epsom Derby, it is recognised as one of the most important races for 3 year old colts and fillies of the season. Classics racing returns to Chantilly for the next of the French Classics, as the finest thoroughbred fillies in Europe meet to contest the Prix de Diane a week after the ‘French Derby’. This race is the French equivalent of the Epsom Oaks, and is the most prestigious race for 3 year old fillies raced in Europe. In mid-July the finest trainers and thoroughbreds in Europe gather at Longchamp racecourse to contest the Grand Prix de Paris . This race constitutes the second leg of both the mares’ and fillies’ French Triple Crown, and is run on Bastille Day. The race will often feature thoroughbreds that performed well in the Prix du Jockey club. The last, and most prestigious, of the Classics takes place in October. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the second richest thoroughbred race in the world, and is regarded as the most prestigious flat race in Europe. Run at Longchamp, the race attracts only the finest champion 3 year old thoroughbreds.

French Classics Betting Despite their prestige and prominent place in European thoroughbred racing, the French Classics do not receive extensive antepost coverage from UK bookmakers, with markets generally opening just days before each race. The exception to this is the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe which receives more extensive coverage than the first three French Classics. Although thoroughbreds from the United Kingdom routinely travel across the channel in attempts to scoop the riches in some of Europe’s wealthiest races, the French Classics are dominated by racehorses trained in France. As a result a basic familiarity with French group 1 racing can be very helpful when betting on the French Classics. Bet365 £200 Free Bet

Question: Which race run at Chantilly in June is often referred to as the French Derby?
Answer: Prix du Jockey Club